Rock lobster

A rock lobster, here being mistaken for a rock. Either that, or this is some kind of weird fetish porn.

The rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) is a crustacean that lives in the coastal waters of Georgia. It is the region's largest seafood export.

Rock lobster are notable for being extremely edible, as well as being frequently mistaken for rocks. The reason for this common mistake is unknown, as they really don't resemble rocks that much. Maybe red rocks with eight legs and claws and antennae, but how many of those do you see? I couldn't even find one on eBay. And, usually, you can find rocks shaped like all kinds of stuff on eBay. One of the cornerstones of the playground economy is finding rocks, deciding they look like stuff, and putting them on eBay.

Go under the dock. Even the presence of matching towels will cause the lobster to retreat under a dock. Thing is, lobsters just don't like towels very much. Which really kind of makes me wonder why fisherman bring them in the first place. Still, assuming that your towels match, this is where you'll find the lobster.

Don't be fooled! The rock lobster is a master of camouflage, and may resemble a rock. Frequently, a detachment of fishermen will bring along an employee specifically trained to tell the difference. Traditionally, this employee is an extremely effeminate man who announces the presence of a rock lobster by putting his hands on his cheeks and lisping sibilantly, "That isn't a rock! That's a rock...lobstah!"

One final word of caution: try not to get trapped inside a giant clam. You'd think that wouldn't even be worth mentioning, but it's happened. Twice.

Seducing rock lobster

This is arguably the worst lobster costume ever. Even so, I would hit that. However, I am not a lobster.

What? Are you serious? Wow, you people are insane.

Well, all right. I suppose — speaking strictly hypothetically, here — that the first step to seducing a rock lobster would be to put on a lobster costume. Remember: lobster are very perceptive. Remember how they react to unmatched towels? So it's important that your lobster costume be anatomically correct, down to the last detail.

A good rock lobster costume will contain the following elements:

Claws. Claws are important, particularly to male lobster. While a female lobster will try to engage a male in deep conversation, the male will pretty much just stare at her claws the whole time.

Tail. The more delicious your tail looks, the better. If you try to give a female lobster your phone number, and your tail looks no tastier than the red felt it's made of, chances are, she's not going to go for it. I mean, hypothetically.

Antennae. Lobster antennae can be purchased at most novelty costume stores; they consist of a red headband with some red stalks and googly eyes at the end. They're kinda cool.

Legs. You're going to need some extra legs if you're really going to get a lobster interested in you. Chances are, if you're reading this for the first time, you have two. We've got to get that up a bit. Leg transplants are expensive and painful, but well worth it. While they aren't exactly legal, I know a guy.

Pluralizing rock lobster

Pluralizing "rock lobster" can be difficult and complex. Fortunately for you, I made you a flowchart.

There. That's a much more proper topic — if perhaps a bit of a boring one.

The plural of "rock lobster" is "rock lobster." Here it is, used in a context: